I am sitting here and still cannot believe that I am writing this. It has been mere days since the tragic passing of former Calgary Flames superstar Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. I still have not been able to wrap my head around this devastating news, I still refuse to believe that this is true. My stomach is still in knots as I sit here and try to put some thoughts together about the player I spent ten years idolizing. It has been some of the toughest days I have ever had in my entire life.
I wrote a piece that was exactly like this back in January before Johnny played what would be his last game in Calgary at the Scotiabank Saddledome, but back then it was written in joy and happiness that one of my favourite players was coming back to play against my favourite team. Today, I will try to write this as I have tears running down my eyes.
Johnny had some unbelievable moments in his career, so many of them brought me so much happiness that I will always look back on with a smile on my face. He is as big a reason as anyone that I am the diehard Flames fan that I am today. I was too young to really take in the Jarome Iginla era of the Flames, but I was old enough to finally begin to understand the dynamic of a full NHL season, and that started with Johnny Gaudreau when he made his NHL debut in Vancouver on that magical night in 2014. I want this post to be positive, and I want this post to be celebrating the life of Johnny and his career. So, let’s take a look back at Johnny Gaudreau’s best moments as a Calgary Flame.
Game 7 overtime winning goal against the Dallas Stars
I have talked about this goal at length so many times, it is without a doubt my favourite moment of Gaudreau’s career, and I am not sure that is close. I remember the night like it was yesterday, that Sunday night in May that was either sending the Flames to round 2 or sending them packing after a phenomenal regular season.
Gaudreau came into that game 7 riding a high, he was having a terrific series, and for the Flames to be victorious he was going to have to be the best player on the ice that night, and he sure was the best player that night. When the Flames needed a goal to get back level in the second period, he made a slick pass to his buddy Matthew Tkachuk who ripped a shot over the shoulder of Jake Oettinger to bring the game back to even.
The game would remain deadlocked until there was just under five minutes to go in overtime. That was when the best line in hockey that year, driven by Gaudreau, went to work. It was the shift that we had seen a million times that year, that ended with the shot from the goal line that we had seen Gaudreau take a million times throughout his career, and this time, the puck went off the crossbar and into the net. The Flames were off to round 2, one of the most iconic goals in Calgary Flames history.
The Saddledome erupted, the city of Calgary erupted, and at 1:00 in the morning back at my house in the city of Mississauga, Ontario, I erupted. Jumping on my couches, texting all of my friends, ending with myself sitting on the floor bawling my eyes out that Gaudreau just did the thing. It was one of the most memorable nights I had ever had.
The infamous game-tying goal in game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks
Another moment and goal from Gaudreau that solidified his spot among the elite of the Calgary Flames and the entire league, and we didn’t even know it yet.
Gaudreau’s rookie season back in the 2014-15 season was electric, we were witnessing the beginning of something truly special in Calgary. He was spectacular that season, scoring at a rapid pace, making plays we had never seen someone in the Flaming C making, oh and did I mention he dragged the Flames into the playoffs when they were not supposed to be there? Yeah, he did that.
Down 3-2 in a pivotal game 3 in round 2, down 2-0 in the series, with under a minute to play, Gaudreau took matters into his own hands. He rushed down the right side of the ice, stopped up, and made the decision he was going to tie the game up. He came off the boards and ripped a shot over the shoulder of Frederick Andersen, sending the Saddledome into a frenzy as he tied the game. I remember that game being a roller coaster of emotions, and my sixteen-year-old self lost his mind when Gaudreau popped that one in the net. Mikael Backlund would then win the game in overtime as the Flames made the series 2-1. Sure, the Flames ended up losing in five, but we were given a glimpse of how special Gaudreau was going to be, and man did he ever live up to the lofty expectations that were put on him.
Gaudreau’s first career NHL goal
This list would not be right without Gaudreau’s first career goal on this list. It was the 2013-14 season, the Flames were once again near the bottom of the NHL standings and they were already looking towards the 2014 NHL draft as they would have a high pick. Just before that though, they made a massive signing that would change the trajectory of the franchise for years. The Flames inked Gaudreau to an entry-level contract after his third year at Boston College. It was Craig Conroy’s mission to get Gaudreau signed and playing for the Flames, and after some fear that he might go the route of becoming a college free agent, Gaudreau signed with the Flames and played his first NHL game immediately.
His first game was so special. I remember not really knowing all that much about Gaudreau, I knew he was highly regarded, but I truly did not know how he played or how good he was at the college level. Then the game began, and I could not believe how this tiny player was making the Canucks look this foolish. He was all over the place, with the puck on his stick and without the puck on his stick. Watching him play that game after watching Sean Monahan for the entirety of his rookie season gave me hope that they found their replacements from Iginla era.
Then in the second period, a point shot that seemed to be going wide hit the very end of Gaudreau’s stick, slid by his future teammate, Jacob Markstrom, and into the net for his first goal. Gaudreau was so happy, you could see it in his face. His future best friend and running mate, Sean Monahan grabbed the puck and the bench was elated for Johnny. The guy who defied all odds, who everyone said would not make the NHL, had just scored his first of many NHL goals. It was truly a special moment.
Many memories that will live on
I could probably name about 100 moments from Johnny’s career and explain them in extreme detail. from his 100th point against the Seattle Kraken in 2022, to his highlight reel goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017, the hat trick that sparked the run to the playoffs in 2014 against the Los Angelas Kings, to his last goal as a Flame in his last game as a Flame against the Oilers in 2022. There were so many great times with Gaudreau in his career.
Whenever his family was in town, you would see him elevate to another level, when the stakes got high, he matched that with his play on the ice. He was an infectious player. That smile, that joy, that happiness he played with all the time will live on in all of us. He inspired so many to never give up on their dreams, and he inspired tons of people, not only in Calgary, but the entire world with how he played the game and he handled himself off the ice.
Looking back on it, I was so upset two years ago when he signed with the Blue Jackets, but I was never mad with Johnny, we always knew he wanted to be closer to home, and I was never going to be upset with him after he stayed true to his word. In the end, I was so happy for him even though he was no longer playing for the team I cheered for. Would I ever trade what I have been feeling these last couple of days to go back to when all he did was switch teams.
A message to you, Johnny
To you Johnny, I am forever grateful for the times you gave me as a hockey fan, you were an inspiration to me and so many others. You Johnny, you were the reason that I became such a diehard fan, it was you who sparked the fan in me to want to watch every game and follow so closely. You brought me so much happiness over the years and I cannot even begin to comprehend what the NHL is going to look like without you. This is not fair, you should be here.
To the Gaudreau family, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and loss you guys are going through. Losing both Johnny and Matty is truly not fair, and I am sending all of my love and support to you guys through these extremely tough times.
I know Johnny and Matty are looking down at us right now, and I know they are laughing and are getting ready to lace them up to take one another on in the game they both loved. We will miss you immensely Johnny. The hockey world will never be the same without you.
